Peripheral Neuroinflammation in Acute Whiplash
- Dr. Jason Mazzarella
- Sep 26
- 1 min read
Key Findings on Peripheral Neuroinflammation in Acute Whiplash
Increased T2 Signal on MRI: Patients with acute Whiplash-Associated Disorder II (WADII) showed elevated T2-weighted MRI signals in the C5–C8 brachial plexus roots and dorsal root ganglia (DRG), indicating intraneural edema and neuroinflammation.
Clinical Indicators of Inflammation:
Heightened nerve trunk mechanosensitivity in the upper limbs.
Elevated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Presence of somatosensory hyperalgesia on neurological and quantitative sensory testing.
Symptom Correlation: Increased signal ratios were observed on the more symptomatic side, suggesting localized neuroinflammation.
Potential Mechanisms: Neuroinflammation may result from sudden tension on the brachial plexus during cervical acceleration-deceleration or compression of spinal nerves/DRGs due to cervical intervertebral foramina narrowing.
Implications for Treatment: Recognizing peripheral neuroinflammation in acute WADII could inform the development of targeted therapies, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment beyond standard evaluations.
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